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February 25, 2013

Everyone, it is said, was born somewhere, and indeed that's true, but not many big name mid-twentieth century movie stars called Penticton home. While today this sun-kissed, vineyard filled corner of British Columbia boasts a population of over 30,000, back in 1920s that number was more like a few thousand at most (factoring in the surrounding areas). Like much of the province outside Vancouver and Victoria, it was still very much a burgeoning spot that would take a few more decades to grow to a population large enough for it to be called a fully fledged city.

It was during the roaring twenties however, on June 8, 1921 to be exact, that a local couple welcomed a new daughter into the world, whom they named Gladys Smith. Taking to the stage early in life, Gladys was an avid ballerina as a teenager and went on to study drama at Los Angeles City College in California. It was while in LA that Gladys opted to take on a screen name, retaining her surname and swapping in Alexis for the first name she was bestowed at birth (in, part, I'd venture to guess, because there was likely no shortage of other women named Gladys Smith at the time).

While preforming in a play at her college, Alexis was spotted by a Warner Brothers talent scout who just happened to be in the audience, and shortly after, in 1941, signed a contract with the studio. Though Alexis' movie career did not hit the ground running per se, it didn't take too long before she was soon being cast alongside leading names of the day such as Errol Flynn, Cary Grant, and Bing Crosby, in movies such as Gentleman Jim, Night and Day, and Here Comes the Groom.

Tall, beautiful, and confident, Alexis had no problem straddling both the world of Hollywood and of the stage, the latter of which was her first love when it came to acting. During the 1950s and beyond Alexis stared in several plays, including 1955's Plain and Fancy based on the book by Joseph Stein and Will Glickman. Sixteen years later, in 1971, she appeared on the cover of Time magazine for her critically acclaimed role in the Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's Follies - a role that would go onto land her a Best Actress Tony Award.

Though Alexis Smith never became a Hollywood star of the magnitude of some of her female peers of the day, she was not a flash in the pan or a one hit wonder either. Her acting career (which also included a handful of TV roles) span fifty years, with her last role being as an episode of Cheers in 1990, just three years before she passed away from cancer at the age of seventy-two.

Married to the same man, actor Craig Stevens, for forty-nine years, Alexis spent most of her adult life living and working in America, yet had the distinction amongst her fellow Hollywood colleagues as being the only well-known actress of her day to have been born in Penticton, British Columbia. I don't know if she was able, or had any desire to, make it back up to these parts throughout her life, but I like to think that surely, gorgeous as California is, there must have been times when she yearned - if only a little - for her Canadian hometown.

{To learn more about a specific image in this post please click on it to be taken to its original source.}

Though I’m not sure if any of her relatives still live around these parts, should I happen to run into anyone in town that shares her (albeit rather common) surname, I'll be certain to ask them if they might per chance be related to the city's only female Tony winner, and an all around great mid-century actress, Alexis Smith.

Alexis was one of the most beautiful actresses of her day. Such a lovely face! And she had the perfect figure for carrying off beautiful 40s fashion. I've always had a soft spot for her although I know that she was considered to not be too talented!

Wow, what a gorgeous lady! I love that she was married to the same man for 49 years, seems so rare for actors and actresses to stay married for long. Even in that time period! Thank you for sharing this, it's very lovely to honor the history of those famous individuals who made it from one's hometown!

This is a great post, really interesting! She's gorgeous, and oh, her dress!!! Beautiful. And getting to work with all those famous leading men?! Worth it all, right there.Now she's great and all, but my town boasts the privilege of producing Bob Barker of "The Price Is Right" (though technically he just graduated from high school and college here) and Brad Pitt. Please try not to be jealous. ;)Though I think Alexis Smith is a bit more classic....

Very cool post, loved this! This is now making me think about all the cool actors and actresses that might of come from Toronto as well. Please let us know if you do run into her family, would be very cool if you could find out more information (or see pics) straight from a family member.

Thank you very much, my dear. That would be seriously cool for sure! I will be sure to report any local info I might happen to come across on Alexis here. Perhaps next time I'm at our (super, super tiny) local museum, I'll ask if the staff there have any info on her.

I had scrolled through the photos before reading this post, and I wondered where I had seen her before. Then, reading the post, I realized it was from the movie Here Comes the Groom. That was a wonderfully lighthearted and fun movie. I had seen it about a year or two ago and watched it again just after New Year’s. Have you seen it?

I was observing the picture of her in the green plaid dress…such beautifully matched plaid. It is a shame how often plaid fabrics are no longer so carefully sewn together.

I would think that beautiful Canada would always hold a special place in the heart of Alexis Smith.

Hello dear Hope, thank you very much for your lovely comment. You know, I don't believe I've had a chance to see Here Comes the Groom yet. I'd love to though for sure (especially because Bing Crosby is in it as well, and he's a beloved favourite of mine). I learned a lot about Alexis while writing this post and now hope to see all her films over time (if only TCM would devote a day to her!).

Wow. She was beautiful. I'm quite a classic movie buff, so i'd seen quite a bit of her and knew a little about her, but never knew where she was originally from! I love the photo of her with the wonderful, (and very dashing) Cary Grant. And she really rocks that plaid! Great post, Jessica. I love this. :)

She was quite lovely! Thank you for introducing us to her. Having starred in a movie with a huge talent like Cary Grant (among others) makes me wonder why she didn't achieve the heights of stardom. I wonder if she intentionally chose to live a quieter life in order to spend time outside of the spotlight.

Wow. I learned a lot about a special.person to me. That she too changed her name... I changed mine to Alexis (from Dawn) at age 20. This was two years after my dad passed on...afterwards I learned SHE had been his fav.

I'm Jessica, a lifelong lover of all things antique and vintage, especially those from the 1930s, 40s and 50s.

This blog is my visual scrapbook in which I record and share my thoughts on the multitude of sources, people and products that inspire and feed a modern gal's addiction to the past. I also post about the vintage clothes, hairstyles and make-up looks that I adore wearing.

Stay a spell and have a blast as we explore the incomparably fantastic world of vintage history and fashion together.

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